POETRY: Lovely Woman - a ballad - Du Fu

On the third day of the month, when the weather

is clear and fresh

A number of lovely women come to the lakeside in

Chang'an.

Exquisite to look at, they carry themselves with a

distant, decorous air,

Their skin refined, their figures formed in elegant

proportions.

The clothes they wear of embroidered silk shine in the

late spring air,

With peacocks done in gold trim and silver unicorns.

And what are the ladies wearing on their heads?

 Flowered plumes of kingfisher green hung to the edge

of their hair.

And what are they showing at their backs?

Closely fitting outer skirts of pearls that hug their

waits.

Among them are kin of the Mistress of the 

Cloud-draped Pepper-scent Chambers,

Ladies ennobled with the names of the great states

Guo and Qin.

Purple camel humps are served, protruding from green

cauldrons,

And pure white fish is brought to them on plates of

crystal glass,

But sated with food, they have little use for their rhino

horn chopsticks,

So chefs waste effort cutting slices with their tinkling knives

While eunuchs' horses fly to and fro without

disturbing the dust

Bringing a series of delectable dishes from the

imperial kitchens.

Then flutes and drums call mournfully with a sound to

stir the gods,

And guests and followers come in throngs, a truly

mighty gathering,

As last of all a rider brings his sauntering horse to

the railing, 

Where he dismounts and goes inside to sit on the

patterned carpet.

Willow blossoms fall like snow and cover the

white frogbit;

A crimson kerchief in its beak, a bluebird flies away.

His power is extraordinary, enough to burn your

hands on;

Take care - do not get too close and provoke the

Chief Minister's anger.

- Du Fu